Samaritans wellbeing support line for health and social care workers in Wales

HEIW in collaboration with Welsh Government, and the Samaritans have launched a new confidential wellbeing support line for NHS and social care workers in Wales.

The wellbeing support line is for anyone who works in health or social care and might be feeling worried, stressed or overwhelmed, or just needs to talk things through after a busy shift or long day at work. It’s more important than ever that we keep looking after ourselves, so we can continue to care for others.

All calls are answered by Samaritans volunteers, who are trained to listen without judgement and offer confidential emotional support. The support line will be open every day between 7am and 11pm, offering support in English. A Welsh language line will also be available every evening between 7pm and 11pm.

The line has been designed to help anyone working in the NHS or in social care in Wales to process their experiences during a time when they’re working under increased pressure and adapting to difficult circumstances. It’s focused on creating a safe space for them to share their feelings and talk about what they’re going through.

Claire Smith, Workforce Programme Manager at HEIW, Lead for the NHS Wales Health and Wellbeing Network, said “We are so pleased to have been involved in the development of this very important service, that will provide a dedicated bilingual helpline for those working in health and social care in Wales.”

NHS Wales and social care wellbeing support line details:

The English language support line for NHS and social care workers and volunteers is free to call, and is available every day, between 7am-11pm on 08004840555.

The Welsh language support line for NHS and social care workers and volunteers is free to call, and is available every evening, between 7pm-11pm on 08081642777.

Website:

The information relating to the Wales NHS and social care support line will be available via our website and through Our Frontline which is a combination of 1-2-1 support and online resources for frontline workers.